Finding the little things that make us happy
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all". ~ Dale Carnegie
Monday morning, here I go again, I think as I lie in bed, wanting to roll over and go back to sleep.
A busy weekend, and no time for the news until this morning.
My heart sank as I listened to the radio - news of the Iran-Israel conflict has escalated, and threats of retaliation are on the horizon.
At that moment, all I could think about was how did the world get so fucked up.
Since 2020, we have lived in a tumultuous world of terror, unkindness, a feeling of no hope and the constant threat of war.
Given the circumstances, forgive me if I sound pessimistic; living through decades of many challenges, you become a little hard-nosed and cynical, and despite age, just when you think you've heard it and seen it all, it turns out you haven't.
Nothing seems to shock or surprise you, yet it still doesn't mean you are impervious to bad news.
Life is never straightforward, it has its highs and lows, and it will break you down, make you humble, and piss you off.
Somehow, you find the strength to get up and go again.
But I must admit this morning, I felt anything but strength and motivation.
Sometimes, you collide with life, and all you want to do is step away from the starting line.
That's why finding the little things that make us happy is important.
What little things make you happy?
What stops you in your tracks and makes you smile?
What memories make you feel warm and fuzzy?
I love to walk into my sons' bedrooms, feel their presence, smell, and the knick-knacks lying around.
It fills me with joy.
I am sentimental, but when those moments wash over you, they are all-consuming. You feel love, and your heart is full.
There are moments of wonderment and happiness that come from the most simple things - a baby's smile, the comforting smell of a room in your parents’ home, the sound of children playing, a mug of good coffee and the patter of rain against the window.
I love the sound and rumble of thunder in the distance, especially at night.
Freshly cut peonies, my favourite flowers, the smell of homegrown roses and fresh coffee are the simple pleasures that make us happy and appreciative of life.
Finding a long-lost valuable deep in your coat pocket, you'd given up hope of ever finding the music that instinctively calms you.
If we intentionally look for those little things that, on the face of it, appear dull and mundane, they make us feel good and help us appreciate the little things.
Texting your partner, you love them, a phone call to someone you haven't spoken to in a while, or walking in the park are all the simple little things that make us feel good.
In the same way, showing kindness to another uplifts us like a smile to a stranger, a helpful hand to someone who needs it, and helps us reconnect to what's important in life.
These are the things we forget in our daily working lives; we are so consumed by bad news, work deadlines, and family issues that we are overwrought with anxiety and tiredness, and there is little time to kick back, slow down and appreciate what we have.
Simple delights can fill us with joy and hope.
Opening our eyes and being in the moment to experience that mind shift helps settle a nervous soul.
Recently, I've been working on breathing exercises, concentrating on breathing in, and relaxing my shoulders.
The 5-2-7 way - breathe in for five, hold for 2, release for 7- has made an enormous difference to my well-being.
While I admit it takes time to make it a habit and practice it every day, and not when I am spiralling, to feel the benefits, I need to do it at least 4-5 times a day; so far, it is making a huge difference.
And while none of us know what the future holds, now feels like a good time to enjoy the little things, to make the most of each and every day, no matter how trivial and mundane life might seem.
